SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock High School's football team is looking for a postseason hat trick against Harbor Creek Saturday night.

The Rockets (4-5) venture to Veterans Stadium in Erie for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the unbeaten Huskies (9-0) to begin the District 10 3A playoffs.

Slippery Rock defeated Harbor Creek by scores of 44-3 and 38-14 in the first round over the past two years.

“Yes and no,” Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz said as to whether his team has an advantage with the recent history between the teams. “Yes, from a confidence standpoint.

“But if our kids are too confident, thinking this game will be like those other two, we're in for a long night.”

Harbor Creek is hoping to avoid another long night in the first round of the playoffs.

“They've been kind of a thorn in our side,” said Huskies' coach Troy Budziszewski. “So has the whole south region.”

But this isn't the same Harbor Creek team that fell to the Rockets the last two years.

For one, the Huskies have a dominating defense with six shutouts in nine games.

Harbor Creek has given up just 32 points all season, 19 of those to North East in a runaway 54-19 triumph two weeks ago.

“They're willing to play together and be unselfish,” Budziszewski said of his defensive unit. “They're willing to fill a gap and let a linebacker make a play. They're playing so well because they are playing as a team.”

Wendereuz said: “That defense is the real deal and they spread the ball around well offensively.”

They protect the ball pretty well, too.

Quarterback Casey Smith has thrown for 931 yards and 19 touchdowns while getting picked off only twice. Receivers Cody Smith, Marrick Bauer and Ryan Whitman have combined for the 19 touchdown catches. They have between 12 and 18 receptions each.

Running back Tyler East has 1,133 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Middle linebacker AJ Ennis leads the Huskies with 76 tackles. Linebackers Cameron Williamson and Tyler Charlton have 46 and 44 stops, respectively.

Slippery Rock runs a triple option, spread offense that accentuates the abilities of quarterback Vito Pilosi and backs David Duffalo and Nathan Hyatt.

“We have other guys who contribute, too, but our offense is predicated on at least one of those three having a productive game,” Wendereuz said. “All three run well and they're very athletic.

“We attack based on how we see the defense line up against our offensive formations.”

Pilosi has thrown for 917 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions, while rushing for 577 yards and four scores.

Hyatt has 698 yards and 12 TDs on the ground, 20 catches for 210 yards and a score through the air. He also leads the Rockets with 1,235 all-purpose yards.

Duffalo has 458 yards and four TDs rushing, 21 catches for 233 and 2 TDs in the passing game. All three players have enjoyed 100-yard rushing games this year.

Budziszewski said going up against a team with three versatile weapons is a challenge.

“They are kind of multiple in the fact that they can run inside or outside and they can throw the ball,” Budziszewski said. “They can do what they are forced to do or what they want to do, depending on how you look at it. They are a good group.”

Wendereusz said his team is going to have to be focused to pull off a third consecutive playoff win over the Huskies.

“We have to be totally locked in on both sides of the ball,” Wendereusz cautioned. “The coaches have turned around that Harbor Creek program up there pretty quick.”

Inside linebackers Duffalo and Pilosi lead Slippery Rock with 74 and 71 tackles. Hyatt has 52 stops from his safety position.

Nose guard Gabe Smithbauer has 40 tackles. Wendereuz also lauded the play of outside linebackers Evan Long and Shane Thompson, defensive linemen Justin Shaffer and Tony Pilosi.

“Our defense has definitely been a team thing,” the coach said. “We're going to need a huge game from those guys if we're going to move on.”

Slippery Rock is seeking an opening-round playoff win for the fourth consecutive year.

Staff writer Mike Kilroy contributed to this story.